2012, Finalist, Vodafone NZ Music Awards
Te More (Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns) is a finalist in the Best Maori Album category of the 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards
Honours and awards– Richard Nunns
2012, Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music Award
Dr Richard Nunns and the late Dr Hirini Melbourne: were joint recipients of the Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music Award
2011, Best Classical Album
2011 Best Classical Album in the New Zealand Music Awards
2011 The New Zealand String Quartet CD, Notes from a Journey, which includes He Poroporoaki composed by Gareth Farr and Richard Nunns, won the Best Classical Album in the New Zealand Music Awards.
2011, Outstanding Composer of Music
2011 The Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music in The Chapman Tripp Awards for Hear to See. Capital E production.
2009, Arts Laureate
In November 2009 Richard was honoured with the awarding of an Arts Foundation Laureate. The ceremony took place in Auckland, and Moana Maniopoto was the presenter of the award to Richard. He was one of 5 recipients.
2009, NZ Music Hall of Fame
Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns
Great New Zealanders; distinguished scholars and artists; two of the most important musicians in a generation
Richard Nunns with daughter Molly (left) and wife Rachel (right)
Hirini's wife Jan Melbourne with daughters Hineani (left) and Mahina (right)
“This is one of the most significant stories in New Zealand music — an instrumental tradition lost for more than a century but, against all odds, bought back to life. It’s an extraordinary story of extraordinary people” says APRA’s Director of NZ Operations, Anthony Healey.
“These two and their achievements sit right alongside the icons of NZ music. Like Ray Columbus and the Invaders, Jordan Luck, the Topp Twins or Straitjacket Fits, Hirini and Richard’s achievements are long-lasting and hugely significant” he says.
2008, Honorary Doctorate of Music
Doctorate of Music honoris causa, from Victoria University of Wellington, 2008
Photos from the Doctoral conferral, 2009
Dr Gillian Whitehead and Dr Richard Nunns
Dr Gillian Whitehead, Jamie Bull, and Dr Richard Nunns
Recordings that have been honoured
- 2011 The NZSQ CD Notes from a Journey, which includes He Poroporoaki composed by Gareth Farr and Richard Nunns, won the Best Classical Album in the New Zealand Music Awards
- 2007 :: Te Whaiao
Te Whaiao: Te Ku Te Whe Remixed won the Tui award for the best Maori album in the New Zealand Music Awards 2007 - 2006 :: Spirit of the Land,
won best classical album New Zealand Music Awards 2006 - 2006 :: He Ara Puoro was commended as a finalist in 2006 Media Peace Awards.
- 2005 :: Te Hekenga-a-rangi, finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards 2005
- 2002 :: Te Ku Te Whe gained gold status
2009, APRA Silver Scroll Award
On Thursday 17 September Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns were honoured at the 2009 APRA Silver Scroll Awards — Christchurch Town Hall — as 2009 inductees to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
2009, Queen’s Service Medal
Queen’s Service Medal, 2009
Richard Nunns, left, and Brian Flintoff have received Queen's Service Medals Marion van Dijk/
Richard Nunns and instrument maker Brian Flintoff received Queen’s Service Medals in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday honours list.
“It has been a fascinating challenge to discover music and instruments which only existed in distant memory.” Richard Nunns
“You can see the recognition of these instruments in the laughter and tears of the elders who hear this music and remember their sound.” Brian Flintoff